STWF Sports | WASHINGTON, D.C. | July 31, 2026  — The Dallas Wings battled back from an early double-digit deficit and briefly moved in front during the fourth quarter, but the Washington Mystics controlled the glass and converted critical free throws down the stretch to secure an 81-75 victory Friday night at a sold-out CareFirst Arena.

Paige Bueckers led Dallas with 23 points and five rebounds, while Arike Ogunbowale added 20 points. The Wings fell to 18-11, and Washington improved to 16-12 as the regular-season series moved to 1-1.

The teams will return to CareFirst Arena next Wednesday for the deciding matchup.

Shakira Austin powered the Mystics with game highs of 28 points and 10 rebounds. Kiki Iriafen added 22 points and nine boards as Washington consistently punished Dallas inside, finishing with a 44-20 advantage in paint scoring.

The Resilience of the Dallas Wings

The Mystics also outrebounded the Wings 42-32 and generated 17 second-chance points. Four of Washington’s offensive rebounds and six of its second-chance points came in the fourth quarter, helping the home team survive Dallas’ late surge.

The Wings struggled to establish an offensive rhythm early. Azzi Fudd, returning to her hometown region, opened the Dallas scoring with a three-pointer, and Ogunbowale followed with another from deep. Washington, however, attacked the basket immediately and scored its first four field goals in the paint.

An 11-2 Mystics run pushed the lead to 20-10 before Bueckers and Ogunbowale closed the gap slightly. Austin’s late layup gave Washington a 22-14 advantage after the opening period.

Dallas shot just 22.2 percent in the first quarter, while the Mystics connected on 46.7 percent of their attempts.

The Wings responded with greater pace and energy in the second. Ogunbowale scored the first basket of the period before Jessica Shepard finished in transition, sparking a 13-4 run. Alanna Smith, returning after missing time with a right leg injury, scored five consecutive points to pull Dallas within 24-23.

Washington answered with a 10-3 run, powered by eight points from Austin. Ogunbowale kept the Wings close with a pair of late baskets, and Dallas entered halftime trailing only 38-35.

Ogunbowale scored 14 points before the break, while Austin led all players with 19.

Bueckers took control offensively in the third quarter. She scored 12 points in the period, including five straight that brought Dallas within 50-48. A three-pointer and an 18-foot jumper later cut Washington’s advantage to 54-53.

The Mystics responded with five consecutive points before Maddy Siegrist’s late jumper sent the game into the fourth with Washington leading 59-55.

Dallas finally broke through with its first lead since the opening moments midway through the final period. After a Washington foul was upgraded, Ogunbowale made one free throw before burying a three-pointer to put the Wings ahead 64-63.

She then answered an Austin free throw with a short jumper, giving Dallas a 66-64 advantage with 4:40 remaining.

The teams exchanged baskets before Bueckers and Smith combined to make three free throws following a personal foul and technical on Iriafen, tying the game at 71. Smith later converted a reverse layup for another tie at 73 with two minutes left.

Washington controlled the closing possessions.

Austin made two free throws with 1:21 remaining, and Ogunbowale missed a three-pointer on Dallas’ next trip. Sonia Citron then pushed the Mystics’ lead to 77-73 with two foul shots.

Bueckers scored quickly to cut the deficit to two, but Washington sealed the result at the line. The Mystics went 12-for-13 on fourth-quarter free throws and finished 27-for-31 for the game.

Dallas shot 40 percent overall and made eight of 33 three-point attempts. Smith provided an encouraging return with 11 points and five rebounds off the bench, matching her season-high scoring total.

Ogunbowale has now scored at least 20 points in five consecutive games, averaging 23.4 during that stretch.

The Wings return home Sunday to host the Connecticut Sun at College Park Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT on ESPN.